by I. T. Lucas
For immortals, it was a welcome change.
None of them wanted to bother with long courtships to get their fix and dragging things out meant possible emotional attachment that was bad news.
Edna was the perfect example of that. She’d fallen in love with a human, and his death had nearly destroyed her. It had taken more than three hundred years for her to get over the loss and find love with someone else. Thankfully, Rufsur was an immortal, so this time she hadn’t set herself up for another heartache.
Perhaps she should learn from Edna’s example and stay away from the alluring human. That would be the smart thing to do.
Except, Sari always had a problem with backing down from an issued challenge, and that was precisely what David’s flirtatious offer was. She could act demure and point out that they’d just met and it wasn’t appropriate, or she could ignore it and keep going.
Not her style.
Instead, Sari issued a challenge of her own. “Let’s get up there first, and if you can still breathe when we get to your room, we will revisit your proposition.”
David grinned. “Challenge accepted.”
The professor was in good shape, and he climbed the first hundred stairs or so with gusto, no doubt eager to prove that he could do it without getting winded. His suitcase was heavy, though, and he was tiring. Sari could have taken it from him, but that would have hurt his male pride. Instead, she pretended to get tired as well and slowed down the pace.
“Are you okay?” He gallantly put a hand on the small of her back to help her up.
“Oh, I’m fine. There are a lot of stairs all over the castle, not just in the towers, and we didn’t install any lifts. I get lots of exercise.”
“What about the elderly? It’s probably difficult for them without an elevator.”
Sari stifled a chuckle. “There aren’t any in this reality, David. We are all young.”
“Pretending to be young is fun, but older people have real physical limitations. You should at least invest in lift chairs.” He stopped, put the suitcase on the next stair, leaned against a wall, and took in a deep breath. “Let’s take a short break.”
“Thank you. I need it too.”
“My father used to live in a two-story house, and at some point, he had to install one of those contraptions because he couldn’t climb the stairs to his bedroom.”
“Did he move?”
David smiled sadly. “Yes. He moved on.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you.”
The wave of sadness and regret that he emitted hit her hard, and if they weren’t strangers, she would have wrapped her arms around him to offer him solace.
“Did it happen recently?”
David nodded. “Two years ago, but the wound is still fresh. We didn’t get along, and I hate that he died thinking that I didn’t care about him. The guilt is eating me up.”
“He knows.”
“You say it with such conviction. Is that based on religion?”
“We don’t have a religion per se, but we have a belief that this life and the next are separated only by a veil, and that the death of the physical body is not the end. Souls with unresolved issues sometimes stay in the in-between, and I have it on good authority that they search for living conduits to pass messages to their loved ones.”
“Interesting. What if the issues are about revenge and not love? Do those souls haunt their enemies?”
“I don’t know. I know only one real example. The ghost wanted the conduit to tell his loved one that he’d forgiven her. It was very important for her to receive his forgiveness, and she was grateful for the message.” Sari pushed away from the wall. “Ready to continue?”
He waved a hand. “After you, my lady.”
Throughout the rest of the climb, David made an admirable effort not to huff and puff, but as they finally reached the tower room, he dropped his suitcase on the floor and his briefcase on the table and sat down on one of the armchairs.
Sari hadn’t been to the tower in ages and had forgotten what the room looked like. It wasn’t big, but it was well organized and had all the amenities. In a pinch, the bed could accommodate a couple, but it was more suitable for one person. Its modest proportions left enough room for a sitting area composed of two armchairs and a round table, and there was even a cabinet that served as a bar.
David sighed. “I thought that I was in shape, but those spiral stairs are not what I’m used to.”
Sari sat in the other chair. “I’m sorry about that. But look on the bright side. After this vacation, you’ll be in the best shape of your life.”
Leaning back, he crossed his arms over his chest and looked around the room. “This is much nicer than I expected, and the view is probably spectacular.”
Heavy drapery covered the tower’s windows, but when opened, the view was worth the climb.
“It is. Did you expect a dingy dungeon-like room?”
He smirked. “I admit that I did. Your assistant’s grimace was not very encouraging. I was half expecting a chamber pot and a privacy screen.”
“Miranda thinks that her room in the east wing is also dreary. She would love for us to move out of here.”
“Where would she like to go?”
“California.”
David nodded. “The Golden State. It should have been called the sunshine state, but gold played an important role in California’s history…”
Sari had a hard time focusing on what David was saying. Watching his tempting lips move as he talked brought about naughty thoughts of him as Sleeping Beauty, her as Princess Charming, and passionate kissing.
So even though she would have loved to stay and chat some more, she’d better go before doing something rash that she would later regret.
When David was done talking, Sari pushed to her feet. “I should leave you to get settled and freshen up.” She glanced at her watch. “Dinner is at eight. If you wish, I can meet you at the bottom of the stairs at seven-fifty, and we can go together.” Feeling awkward about the proposition, she added, “It’s easy to get lost in the castle.”
“I bet.” He uncrossed his arms and leaned forward. “But since I’m still breathing, I think that you owe me a kiss.”
Damn. She hoped that he had forgotten.
“You don’t have to if you don’t want to,” he added.
“I honor my wagers.” Sari walked over, bent down, and kissed his cheek.
He reached for her hand. “Nice try, my lady. The bet calls for a kiss on the lips.”
Sari hesitated.
She wanted him, but a kiss on the lips would lead to more. Normally, she would have no problem with that, but David wasn’t like the other human males she’d hooked up with over the years. Furthermore, since he was staying in her home, she would not be able to disengage.
First, she needed to find out what Kalugal’s agenda was, which she was about to do during dinner, and then she would decide how to proceed. That reminded her that she needed to send out a group message to everyone explaining about David and what he believed was going on.
What a mess Kalugal had cooked up for her. But perhaps David was worth the trouble.
Pulling her hand out of his, Sari softened the rejection with a smile. “The bet didn’t specify the type of kiss, professor, and I don’t know you well enough for such intimacy.”
He dipped his head. “A rain check, then?”
“I can’t make any promises.” She headed for the door.
He pushed to his feet and followed her. “Seven-fifty at the bottom of the stairs, right?”
She nodded.
“Should I dress formally?”
“Did you bring a suit?”
Unlike Europeans, Americans usually dressed casually, and she doubted that David had brought one on his vacation.
“Not a suit per se, but I have a jacket and several pairs of slacks that go with it.”
That was better than she’d expected, and Sari would have
loved to see the handsome professor in a jacket, but it would have to wait for Friday.
“Weekday dinners are not formal affairs at the castle. That being said, we are still European, so no flip flops, jeans, or T-shirts.”
22
Kalugal
“We should head out to the dining room.” Jacki threaded her arm through Kalugal’s. “Dinner is at eight.”
He glanced at his watch. “It won’t take us half an hour to find the dining hall. We can use the time to see some more of the castle on the way.”
They’d seen some of it en route to their rooms, but Sari hadn’t offered them a formal tour. Instead, she’d taken David to the tower room in person, which was a very good sign.
The two had seemed to click, but Kalugal wasn’t ready to pat himself on the back yet.
“Wouldn’t you rather wait for the formal tour?” Jacki stopped to look at one of the paintings displayed on the corridor’s wall. “Sari hasn’t introduced us to her people yet. What are we going to do if we meet people on the way? Introduce ourselves?”
“Why not?”
“I’d rather wait for Sari.”
As one of the doors that they’d passed opened, Kalugal stopped and turned around. It was Kian and Syssi’s room, and a moment later, the two stepped out.
“Are you heading to the dining room as well?” Jacki asked.
Kian nodded. “It’s a long walk, and I’m glad that we caught you before you left. It’s easy to get lost in the castle.”
Kalugal waved a hand in dismissal. “My nose would have pointed me in the right direction. The only one who might get lost is David.”
He was glad for the company, though. Kian knew everyone in the castle, and if needed could make the introductions, and that would make Jacki feel less awkward when they encountered locals.
Syssi smiled. “I think Sari plans to escort him in person. You were right about him being perfect for her. The sparks between them were so charged that I felt the small hairs on my arms tingle.”
Jacki laughed. “I know what you mean. I felt like I needed to take cover.” She leaned closer to Kian’s wife. “How fast is your sister-in-law? Do you think she’s already had her way with him?”
“I don’t know Sari that well, but I think she’s more reserved than the other immortals.”
Kian groaned. “Can we please not talk about my sister’s love life? At least not while I’m around?”
“Fine.” Syssi wrapped her arm around his waist. “Let’s go.”
Along the way they collected the rest of their group, and as they passed the castle’s public areas, Kalugal smiled and nodded at people, and they smiled and nodded back. So far, though, no one had stopped to talk to them, so no introductions had been needed.
Being part of a large immortal community was a very good thing, and he was grateful to Rufsur and Edna for making it happen. Their motives might have been selfish, but the end result was a better life for his people, for Jacki, and frankly, also for himself.
Thanks to the clan, life was better than Kalugal had ever hoped it would be. He had a mate he loved, and a supportive community to raise his future children in.
As they reached the dining room, he was impressed by the size of it. Evidently, Sari’s people lived a more communal life than Kian’s, and given how packed the place was, most of the castle residents were in attendance.
“I guess they don’t eat in shifts,” Jacki whispered in his ear. “I like it.”
The large hall was noisy, but the chatter diminished as their group walked in, and then stopped altogether when Sari stood up.
David was already there, but he wasn’t seated next to her.
“Welcome.” Sari waved them over and motioned for Kalugal to stand to her left and Kian to her right. “This is my cousin, Kalugal.” She put her hand on his shoulder. “And as you all know, he is here to sign a treaty with our clan. Furthermore, he is joining Kian’s village. Let’s give him and his second-in-command a round of applause.”
The clapping was reserved, but the smiles were mostly genuine. Naturally, not everyone was happy about the alliance, and many were still wary. But that was one of the reasons Kalugal had agreed to sign the treaty in Scotland. It was important for the entire clan to be on board with the unification, and he needed to do some public relations work here as well.
He leaned closer to Sari. “I would like to say a few words.”
“Of course.” As she raised her hand, the crowd hushed.
“First, I would like to thank Sari for hosting the event. Secondly, I would like to thank her for inviting my mate and me to spend our honeymoon in your lovely castle.”
“It’s our pleasure.”
After the clapping subsided, Kalugal took Jacki’s hand. “I would also like to thank Kian for scheming to spy on me. If not for that, I would have never met the love of my life.” He brought Jacki’s hand to his lips for a kiss. “And I also want to thank Kian for allowing us into his village so Jacki could transition with Bridget’s supervision. He has my eternal gratitude for that.”
Kian waved a dismissive hand. “It was the decent thing to do.”
“Still, you could’ve refused.” Kalugal turned to face the crowd. “During our stay, Kian and I got to know each other better, and we’ve become good friends. Nevertheless, this treaty and us moving into the village would have never happened if not for Rufsur and Edna falling in love and orchestrating the unification to allow them to be together.” He turned to the pair. “Let’s give them a round of applause.”
This time the cheering and clapping were deafening.
Everyone loved a good love story, especially when the lovers had to overcome great difficulties to be together.
Kalugal lifted his hand. “This is a new beginning for all of us.” He reached for one of the champagne bottles, popped the cork, and filled the goblets of those near him.
Others did the same, and when everyone in the room was holding a glass of champagne, Sari lifted hers. “To the united clans of Annani and Areana. May the Fates smile favorably upon us.”
23
David
Not being seated next to Sari was disappointing, even off-putting. David had been given the impression that she liked him and was interested in kindling the sparks of their mutual attraction, but apparently not enough to acknowledge him in public.
Instead, he was sitting at another table with her assistant Miranda and other members of her community.
Then again, they’d only met a couple of hours ago, and it wasn’t Sari’s fault that he felt as if it had been much longer than that.
They’d clicked, but maybe it was more on his part than hers, or perhaps she was just being cautious and reserved.
For a good reason too.
Sari was the leader of her community, while he was a tourist on vacation. He couldn’t compare their positions.
“I’m Archie.” The guy across the table from him offered his hand.
“David.” He shook it.
The blonde next to Archie smiled. “I’m Gwen. Nice to meet you, David.”
“A pleasure.” He offered his hand, and she shook it.
The two didn’t look like they were a couple, and as he looked around the other tables, none of the others displayed the familiarity common between partners. If he hadn’t known better, David would have attributed that to local customs, but he’d been to Europe many times and had met enough Europeans to know that wasn’t true. They were more reserved than Americans, and the northerners were more reserved than the Mediterraneans, but people were still people, and couples were easy to spot.
A hand on a knee, a fond smile, and even an angry expression were all telling signs.
The people in the sprawling dining hall all just acted friendly toward each other like club members who knew each other well.
It didn’t make sense.
Even if most of them were members of the same clan, some of them must be married. Another oddity was the lack of children or old
er adults.
Apparently, Sari hadn’t been joking when she’d said that they were all young.
Maybe her people weren’t a traditional clan but a cult?
What had he gotten himself into? Were they going to put him through an initiation ceremony?
David shook his head. He’d always had a wild imagination, that was what made him a decent writer, but in reality the simplest explanation was usually the correct one.
Perhaps there was another dining hall where the children and the older clan members dined. Perhaps only those with professional positions were in this one. Except, that didn’t make sense either.
Where were all the forty and fifty-something people?
Perhaps the retirement age in their community was thirty-five?
When Kalugal and the rest of their party entered the dining room, Sari stood up and waved them over.
“This is my cousin, Kalugal.” She put her hand on his shoulder. “And as you all know, he is here to sign a treaty with our clan. Furthermore, he is joining Kian’s village. Let’s give him and his second-in-command a round of applause.”
That was interesting. No one had told him that this was such a special occasion. Two clans uniting was a big deal even in modern times.
People clapped, but not with much enthusiasm. Apparently, there had been some animosity between the clans, and the treaty was tenuous.
“I would like to say a few words,” Kalugal said.
“Of course.” Sari raised her hand, and her people quietened down.
“First, I would like to thank Sari for hosting the event. Secondly, I would like to thank her for inviting my mate and me to spend our honeymoon in your lovely castle.”
“It’s our pleasure,” Sari said.
Kalugal took his wife’s hand and continued. “I would also like to thank Kian for scheming to spy on me. If not for that, I would have never met the love of my life.” He smiled lovingly at his wife and kissed her hand. “And I also want to thank Kian for allowing us into his village so Jacki could transition with Bridget’s supervision. He has my eternal gratitude for that.”
